Gospel Kindergarten

I feel like I’m in Gospel Kindergarten.

Though I trace my conversion to early boyhood, something big happened to me in my early-twenties. In my early-twenties God began awakening me to how good the good news really is. It felt like being born again…again.

So, what I’m experiencing right now feels familiar. Once again, the good news of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done, is doing, and will do for undeserving people like me is capturing me deep in my guts, at deeper levels than before. It’s a complete paradigm shift to trying to live my life for Christ in my own strength. I resonate with how my friend Tullian expresses his increasing addiction to the gospel, only I feel my addiction is still at Kindergarten level.

I’m in Gospel Kindergarten. A whole new and exciting world is opening up to me. There is so much ahead–so many new discoveries to make of the freedom, forgiveness, and future I have in Jesus.

Friends, you will not be free until God’s view of you matters more than other people’s view of you. The gospel announces good news to rebellious, lost, and broken people who were under God’s condemnation, news that God’s view of you has become new through Jesus (for all who trust in Jesus).

The Son of God has come; he has paid your debt; he has cleansed your stained record and given you his perfect record; he has lived for you, died for you, and risen again for you–reconciling you to the living God, the God you were made to know and enjoy. And he did all of this for free! It cost Jesus everything, but it costs you nothing! Whether for the first time or the thousandth time, believe this counter-intuitive, liberating message. Quit your religion, your trying so hard to do good and earn the favor of God and others. Jesus has earned the favor for you! Believe in him. Repent of your silly self-driven Christianity. Believe in Jesus, not yourself.

Nothing, either great or small—
Nothing, sinner, no;
Jesus died and paid it all,
Long, long ago.

“It is finished!” yes, indeed,
Finished, ev’ry jot;
Sinner, this is all you need,
Tell me, is it not?

When He, from His lofty throne,
Stooped to do and die,
Ev’rything was fully done;
Hearken to His cry

Comments (3)

Preaching Galatians right now and realizing this same thing. Incredible. I feel sorely inadequate to preach the themes Paul is expounding… Like a kindergartner listening to a college prof. and then trying to tell his classmates what he’s learning!

Hey Steve. We have just started our Galatians series this past Sunday as well @ Resolved Church. and Justin I am resonating with this big time … it’s just opening up to me .. .and it really feels like being born again … again!